Arita Khandeparkar
Global PR and Corporate Communications
19. November 2025
Christmas With a Twist: 6 Unusual Christmas Markets Around the World
Christmas markets may be rooted in tradition, but some destinations take the festive season far beyond mulled wine and wooden stalls. From pink-lit squares in Munich to a seaside market where Santa arrives by lifeboat, these markets prove that the holiday spirit thrives in every form.
Below are some unusual Christmas markets from Europe and beyond that deserve a spot on your winter travel list.
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© Nikita Turkovich / Unsplash
Pink Christmas in Munich
Compared to its namesake in Vienna, Munich’s Stephansplatz is usually an inconspicuous, quiet spot. Only during the Christmas season does the square suddenly stand out from its surroundings that’s when the queer Christmas market Pink Christmas creates an exuberant atmosphere with bright pink lighting, drag shows, and a Prosecco bar. From the very beginning, Pink Christmas has been considered a safe space to get together and celebrate, this year for the 20th time.
Dates: November 24 to December 21
How to get there: With FlixBus, you can travel comfortably and without changing buses from various cities to Munich, for example from Nuremberg in around two hours or in five hours from Frankfurt.
© vjurleit / Pixabay
Advent Calendar in Gengenbach
What connects Andy Warhol and an idyllic small town in the Black Forest? An oversized Advent calendar! Every year, Gengenbach Town Hall presents works by renowned artists behind the 24 windows of its facade. In addition to Warhol, visitors have also been able to admire art by Marc Chagall here. This year, it’s Berlin artist Olaf Hajek’s turn: starting on November 30, one of his works will be unveiled every evening at 6 p.m. in the “world’s largest Advent calendar house.” Afterwards, visitors can stroll through the Advent market in the charming old town.
Dates: November 30 to December 12
How to get there: You can use your FlixTrain ticket to Gengenbach as a combined ticket. In addition to the FlixTrain journey to Karlsruhe or Offenburg, it includes the connecting regional train journey to Gengenbach.
© Bardaxx Bardaxx / Unsplash
A Historical Danish Christmas in Aarhus
Step back in time at Den Gamle By, Aarhus’s open-air museum, where Christmas is celebrated as it was over 400 years. Wander lantern-lit streets filled with costumed townsfolk, historic shops, and traditional Danish treats like æbleskiver (puffy fried cakes) and mulled wine. Children delight in the elf attic, Koglekjøbing (Cone Town), while adults enjoy brass bands, horse-drawn carriages, and the immersive “Aftenjul” Christmas Eve tradition.
Dates: November 15 to December 31
How to get there: FlixBus brings you to Aarhus in 1 hour 25 mins from Aalborg, in 50 mins from Vejle and in 4 hours from Herning.
© Greg Martin Photo Journalist / Cornwall Live
Santa’s Lifeboat Landing in St Ives
On the Cornish coast, St Ives Christmas Market adds a dash of maritime magic to the season. The harbourfront fills with local makers, festive food, and sparkling lights but the real showstopper is Santa’s grand arrival. On December 5 at 5:00 pm you can see him gliding into town on a RNLI lifeboat instead of a sleigh, greeted by crowds along the quay as he steps ashore to open the festivities. It’s a quirky, and heart-warming Christmas moment found nowhere else.
Dates: December 5 & December 6
How to get there: While FlixBus doesn’t offer a direct connection to St Ives, you could take a FlixBus to Penzance from Exeter, Plymouth, London or Bristol and then hop on a local bus or train to St Ives.
© mzmatuszewski0 / Pixabay
The Great Dickens Christmas Fair in San Francisco
In California, the San Francisco Dickens Fair recreates Victorian London indoors with gas lamps, cobbled lanes, taverns, theatres, and roaming actors playing Dickens’ characters. It’s elaborately built, like walking through a film set.
Dates: 5 weekends from November 22 to December 21
How to get there: Hop on a Greyhound which takes 2 hours and 35 mins from Sacramento or from San Jose which takes 1 hour and 40 mins to get to San Francisco.
© ahmed hedayet/ Vecteezy
Coastal Christmas Market by the Sea in Sydney
At Bondi, Christmas takes on a sun-soaked, beachy twist rather than a snowy fairytale feel. Bondi Park hosts the Bondi Beach Christmas Markets run by Waverley Council. Expect laid-back seaside vibes with handcrafted gifts, locally made wares, and summer‑style food stalls, a very “beach-christmas” rather than a winter one.
Dates: December 12 to14 & December 19 to 21
How to get there: You can take the new FlixBus line from Canberra to Sydney and get there comfortably in around 3 hours and 10 mins.